National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) will be observed April 2027, 2013. An annual event since 1994, NIIW brings together local and state health departments, national immunization partners, and health-care professionals across the country to hold community activities and events highlighting the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases through immunization.

Although immunization rates for vaccines routinely recommended for children remain at or near record highs, recent outbreaks of measles and pertussis in the United States underscore the importance of maintaining high immunization rates by successfully addressing parents' questions and concerns about childhood vaccines. This year, CDC developed educational and promotional materials to remind parents of the importance of vaccinating their children according to the recommended immunization schedule. For the second consecutive year, NIIW will be observed simultaneously with World Immunization Week, an initiative of the World Health Organization to promote immunization and advance equity in the use of vaccines and universal access to vaccination services. Additionally, the CDC Foundation and CDC will recognize recipients of the second annual CDC Childhood Immunization Champion Award, which recognizes individuals for their contributions to public health through their work in childhood immunizations.

Back to topCDC announces 2013 recipients of the Childhood Immunization Champion Award
The CDC Childhood Immunization Champion Award, given jointly by the CDC and the CDC Foundation, honors individuals who are doing an exemplary job or going above and beyond to promote or foster childhood immunizations in their communities. Each year, up to one CDC Childhood Immunization Champion from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia is honored.

CDC and the CDC Foundation are pleased to recognize the 2013 recipients of the award for the special contributions they have made through their work in childhood immunization. The recipients were announced on April 22, as part of National Infant Immunization Week.

IAC Spotlight! Parent handouts about infant immunization
According to the CDC, one of the key messages of the National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) campaign is healthcare professionals remain parents’ most trusted source of information about vaccines for their children. You play a critical role in supporting parents in understanding and choosing vaccinations. If you’re looking for helpful vaccination-related handouts for parents, look no further. IAC’s Parent Handouts web page features more than a dozen pieces about immunization for the parents of infants.

Back to topCDC updates its Understanding Vaccines and Vaccine Safety series for parents
CDC recently reviewed and made necessary updates to its Understanding Vaccines and Vaccine Safety series of fact sheets for parents and patients. Most 2013 updates were minor.

Back to topCDC provides updated information regarding human infection with novel avian influenza A (H7N9) virus in China
On April 1, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that influenza A (H7N9), a type of flu usually seen in birds, has been identified in a number of people in China. This is the first time this virus has been seen in people.

CDC is following this situation closely and coordinating with domestic and international partners in a number of areas. There is no recommendation against travel to China at this time. CDC has published Watch: Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions: Avian Flu (H7N9) in China on its website. This page includes information on preventing infection for travelers and Americans living in China and for clinicians who should consider the possibility of novel influenza A (H7N9) virus infection in persons presenting with respiratory illness within 10 days of an appropriate travel or exposure history.

Back to topOFFICIAL RELEASES AND ANNOUNCEMENTSMeasles & Rubella Initiative releases annual report
As part of World Immunization Week, the Measles & Rubella Initiative released its annual report publicly for the first time. The report highlights the gains made in measles and rubella control and elimination in 2012, while providing a clear picture of the work left to do in 2013 and beyond to reach the 2015 and 2020 Global Vaccine Action Plan targets.

Back to topNational Comprehensive Cancer Network publishes immunization recommendations for cancer survivors
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recently published Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Survivorship. This publication includes NCCN guidance for vaccinating cancer survivors and their contacts, adapted from ACIP recommendations.

This guide is available without charge online, but one must register with NCCN to be able to access it. Visit the NCCN Guidelines web section, click on the "Survivorship" link, and complete the required information.

Back to topFEATURED RESOURCESNewly available! IAC's popular full-size laminated versions of the 2013 U.S. immunization schedules. Order a supply for your healthcare setting today!
IAC's laminated versions of the 2013 U.S. child/teen and adult immunization schedules are covered with a tough, washable coating that lets them stand up to a year's worth of use in every area of your healthcare setting where immunizations are given. Each has six pages (i.e., three double-sided pages) and is folded to measure 8.5" by 11".

Laminated schedules are printed in color for easy reading, come complete with essential tables and footnotes, and include contraindications and precautions—a feature that will help you make an on-the-spot determination about the safety of vaccinating patients of any age.

Back to topNew book Vaccines for Maxine teaches children about immunizationVaccines for Maxine tackles the topic of immunization in an entertaining and reader-friendly style, suitable for children and adults alike. In this short book, Maxine stages a play in her dream and travels through the story protected by her armor, illustrating how vaccines prevent various diseases.

Vaccines for Maxine is written by Geri Rodda, RN, public health nurse for New Milford, Connecticut. Ms. Rodda's other books include The Flu and You and Lyme in Rhyme.

Back to topInfluenza is serious; vaccination is recommended for nearly everyone, so please keep vaccinating your patients

Vaccination remains the single most effective means of preventing influenza. Vaccination is recommended for everyone age 6 months and older, so please continue to vaccinate your patients. If you don't provide influenza vaccination in your clinic, please recommend vaccination to your patients and refer them to the HealthMap Vaccine Finder to locate sites near their workplaces or homes that offer influenza vaccination services.

If you are seeking influenza vaccine for your clinic, check the Influenza Vaccine Availability Tracking System (IVATS), which is a resource for healthcare settings looking to purchase influenza vaccine. The IVATS chart contains information from approved, enrolled, and participating wholesale vaccine distributors or manufacturers of U.S. licensed influenza vaccine. Information is updated on an ongoing basis.

Following is a list of resources related to influenza disease and vaccination for healthcare professionals and the public.

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Protect Patients From Deadly Pertussis - Updated Vaccine Guidelines: In this CDC Expert Video Commentary on Medscape, Tami Skoff provides an update on the latest vaccine recommendations for preventing pertussis from infancy through adulthood. Since the 1980s, the United States has seen a dramatic increase in the number of reported pertussis cases. In fact, provisional data show that the nation experienced a nearly 60-year record high in 2012, with more than 41,000 reported cases and 15 infant deaths. [login required]

This website is supported in part by a cooperative agreement from the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (Grant No.
6NH23IP22550) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, GA. The website content is the sole responsibility of IAC and does not necessarily represent the official views of CDC.